Westminster (Mo.) Faces Questions Entering 2011 Season

Fulton, Mo. - Although Westminster College returns seven
starters on offense and seven starters on defense, the Blue Jays,
who finished 5-5 overall and sixth in the Upper Midwest Athletic
Conference (UMAC) at 3-4 last year, face a variety of questions
entering the 2011 season.

The offense finished in the upper half of the league in most
categories, but consistency is the key. Senior all-conference first
teamer Carl Givens and junior James Gladstone are two of the best
receivers in the UMAC. Givens caught 54 passes and scored 13
touchdowns, while leading the league and finishing 30th nationally
with a 99.5 yards a game average. Gladstone caught 29 passes and
scored three times for a passing offense which was 71st nationally.
The question is if sophomore Scott Rodgers can improve at
quarterback and Westminster can run the ball better to control the
clock and improve time of possession.

Westminster led the UMAC in rushing defense, total defense,
scoring defense and tackles for loss. All-UMAC first teamer Rodney
Lyles returns for his junior campaign, after leading the Blue Jays
with 3.5 sacks a year ago. Joining Lyles on the defensive front is
all-conference second team junior Tashan Fultz, who led the league
in tackles for loss. Another key returnee is all-league second team
senior defensive back Kelvin Williams, who led the league and
finished 20th nationally in interceptions a game, snaring six in 10
games.

Kicking is a big question. Westminster was eighth in the league
in punting and two-time all-conference kicker Jake Hilton graduated
with four school records, including careers records for extra
points (94) and field goals (15).